Guess who hit their 7 month mark this week? MEEEEE. Yay! Also this week has been one of the best weeks on the mission so far. So so so many spiritual experiences happened. So first off this week I saw my nanay, SISTER TIONGCO! ahhh it was so so awesome seeing her. I actually cried (I can't imagine what it is going to be like when I see my actual nanay in 11 months) haaha but It was so good having her come do exchanges with us. Then we had the biggest miracle happen yesterday at church. Wow. All I can say is Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers.
So exchanges with the STL's were awesome first off because of course it was with Sister Tiongco and second because we got to hike Mt. Tapyas again. Ahhh I love hiking it, but for some reason all the sisters hate hiking so we only get to do it when the STL's come... lame. But it was awesome. The view from the top is indescribable. Ahhh I love love love it. All I can say Is i really hope i don't get transferred next week because I love it here in Coron so much. It is so hard, but my relationship with my Savior and Heavenly Father is growing so much and I couldn't be more grateful. Also, after working so hard, being so obedient and trying are very best everyday to the point where we literally have body aches from working so hard, IT ALL PAID OFF.
This week we hit every single goal we made. Ahhh I love mission. But a huge miracle happened this week. They are the Basilan family. They are amazing. So Sister Vaka and I found them her last week with me clear out in a place called Bayo Bayo. It is super far, the farthest barangay in our whole area. So we ride there in a trike and it takes like 20 minutes and then we usually walk back cuz no trikes usually go there. So anyway when we found them we taught and realized that they were members of the church! So of course we weren't planning on really going back like maybe once every two or three weeks, but since they are members (less active) we were determined to go every week to visit them. So we have been going there for the last 5 or 6 weeks and they commit to coming to church everytime, but dont. They haven't partaken of the sacrament in 5 years so it is like crucial for them to come to church so that they can renew their covenants and be able to feel the spirit there again. So disappointment happens every week cuz they never come.
This sunday we are sitting in church and we had quite a bit of less actives and investigators there, but again no basilan family. Later on during church we are sitting in gospel principles and the Branch President's wife comes in saying, "Sister Barton, Sister Lubrico, quick come here and look!" So we rush out of the class and tears came to my eyes because the Basilan family was there. Ahhh it filled my whole heart with joy. I can't express how happy I felt at that moment. They told us that they had WALKED all the way from their home just to come to church and partake of the sacrament. wow. talk about their faith. I honestly can't express how grateful I am for the Basilan family and for their example to me. So of course we got special permission from the Branch President and had Sacrament blessed just for them. After 5 years of not partaking of the sacrament, they were able to. Five years. Wow, my whole soul is filled with joy. I can't even explain it. That is what a mission is. I am feeling emotions I have never felt before.
I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am for the opportunity I had to come on this misson. I am finally realizing what it is to serve with all of my heart, might, mind, and strength. All I ever think about is my investigators and how I can be better to help them. Ahhh I love my people here in Coron. Miracles are happening because of obedience and I couldn't be more thrilled. I love love love my mission. I can't wait to see what other miracles Heavenly Father has instore for me for the rest of the 11 months I am here.
I know the church is true. I know that the gospel is the one and only way that will bring true happiness to our lives. If any of you have forgotten what it is like to have true happiness remember that it all stems from living the gospel. Giving your whole soul to God. Giving your whole self to Him and letting Him change you one day at a time. Line you will with Heavenly Fathers will and you will be changed forever. I promise. I love you all with my whole heart and I hope you have a great week. (If you don't, well you will cuz I get to talk to you on THURSDAY!!!) remember CTR and do what the Savior would want you to do.
Mahal na mahal ko kayo!
Sister Barton
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